Reel for tape measures



G. sTRoM REEL FOR TAPEy MEASURES :Filed May 1G, 1922 y J l n, l

Patented Jan. 6, 1925.

1 UNlTEnsTA-'TES GUsTAvsTnoM', or PONTIAC, MICHIGAN, AssIGNon or'rmmrroNnnnNnnnnrHsjro' 1 JACOB c; mrrs, or roNrIAo, MICHIGAN.

mt ron TAPE'MEASURES.-

Application md my 1o, 1922. serial' No. 559,742.

TaaZZ whom t may Concern:

Be it known that I, GUs'rAv S'rRoM, a

citizen of the UnitedA States of America, residing at Pontiac in thecounty lof Oakland and State of Michigan', have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Reels for Tape Measures, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawings.

The invention relates to tools designed for use of carpenters and otherworkmen, and it is the object of the invention to provide a smallinstrument that may be used either as a measuring rule, a level or aprotractor. To this end the invention consists in the construction ashereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the instrument;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section; and

Figure 3 is a sectional plan view.

In the present state of the art the rules most frequently used by-carpenters and similar workmen are either the common folding pocketrule or sliding or other jointed rules which may be extended in variousways.

F'or long measurements a tape is frequently employed, but this isinconvenient particularly if used for inside measurements, such, forinstance, as in a window or door frame. My improved constructioncombines the advantages of the tape and the folding or sliding rule andalso has peculiar advantages of its own. v

In detail, A is a rectangular case which is of a predetermined length. Bis a tape which is wound upon a roll C within the case and extendsoutward through Va slot in one end thereof, as indicated-at l). The

outer end of the tape is provided with an angle strip E having a point Fby means of which it can be engaged either with the inside or outside ofthe member from which measurement is to be taken. As specifically shown,the tape B extends around Atwo rolls C and C', being attached to itselfto form a -band or belt B and the additional windings bein wrapped aboutsaid belt parallel thereto. is enables the storage of a eater length ofthe tape and without bending lthe same to the degree required wherewound on a single roll.

The winding crank- Gis arran ed on one side of the casing andit is'preerably attached to the winding roll or drum C by' a clutch I-I, whichmaybe released.. Y Thus, asv

mounted within the casing a level tube .I,

which is visible throu h an opening K in one side of the case. T ere isalso arranged upon the op osite side of the case 'a vmember L, whlc ispivotally attached at M withdegree marklngs N around'the pivot, whichserve the part of a protractor. lfhis permits of setting the member Latan desired angle and to hold it in this os1tion there is a clamping"screw O, prefera ly provided with an enlarged head P, which may belturned by the thumb of the user when clamping is effected.

With-the construction described, to take a longitudinal measurement, thecasing has its outer end placed at one terminal and the tape is thendrawn out until the angle piece E is registered with the other terminal.

count the length of the case, and, therefore, theuser, in readin ,themeasurement on the tape at the end o the case through which said tapeasses, will know the entlre meas urement fprom they opposite end of thecase tothe end of the tape.

To lock the tape'in any position of .adjustment, the handle G for thecrank G is pivotallv attached thereto and is rovided with a ger G2,which, whenthe andle is turned down as shown indotted lines in Fig. 3,will engage the casing 4and hold the crank from movement.

The device will have many uses which, it is believed, areI obvious.

What I clai'm, as my invention isz 1. The combination with an elongatedcase having an opening at one end, of a pair 'of spaced rolls mounted insaid case, a rtape having a looped portion wound around vsaid rolls saidtape being adapted to 'be This tape is so calibrated as'to take inacrolls mounted in said case, a tape havinga looped portion Wound aroundsaid rolls,

said tape being adapted to be Wound about 10 said looped portion andextending through the opening in said case, a crank handle mounted inSaid case coaxially with one of said rolls, and a spring pressed clutchnormally frictionally connecting said crank 15 handle to said rolls foractuating the same. In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

GUSTAV STRGM.

